Legislation calling for EMS workers in New York State to work with a partner at all times was passed by state lawmakers the week of June 7. It is named the Alison Russo EMT Supervisor Staffing Act, after Lieutenant Alison Russo-Elling a 24-year FDNY veteran who was working solo and killed in 2022 in the line of duty. The bill has passed, said Anthony Almojera, a lieutenant paramedic who was a friend of Russo-Elling, and added that despite that development, he still felt the pain of her death. “It means everything to finally get aid for the only 9-1-1 responders who ride solo,” he said. “To have someone watching my back on the scene to help with situations, it just brings me extra comfort.” There were 187physical assaults of FDNY EMS members by their patients in 2023 and 258 in 2024, according to the FDNY. Oren Barzilay, the president of Local 2507, which represents paramedics, EMTs and fire protection inspectors, said the bill was “long overdue” and another “monumental achievement” for both EMS unions. The bill now awaits Gov. Hochul’s signature.
Read the full story by Duncan Freeman for the Chief, published June 16, 2025, here: https://thechiefleader.com/stories/ems-workers-could-get-added-protections,54573
